Career
County Kildare, Harris fought with the Maynooth contingent in 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin. Harris was captain of the Prosperous Company in 1917 and later Vice-Commandant North Kildare Battalion of the Irish Republican Army in 1921. A farmer, Harris was first elected to the Kildare constituency in a by-election in July 1931 caused by the death of Labour Party Territorial Decoration, Hugh Colohan.
With just over 40% of the vote Harris defeated Cumann na nGaedheal candidate John Curton and future Labour Party leader, William Norton.
He lost his seat at the 1957 general election and retired from politics. Harris was related to Matthew Harris, Member of Parliament for Galway East from 1885 to 1890.